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Bathroom

One of the busiest rooms in the house, the bathroom is also usually the smallest and is expensive to gut and renovate. Find out how to cost the bathroom reno and design a layout that maximises the space. Plus check out our bathroom fixes and DIY cosmetic upgrades to save money.

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There’s nothing quite like the feeling of a brand new bathroom with modern fittings and fresh clean surfaces.
But one thing that can detract from the look of a tidy new bathroom is discoloured grout. Often it takes less than 12 mo...

A splashback is designed to protect the wall behind a sink from splashes by providing a waterproof barrier between the wall and the sink.
Splashbacks can be made from a variety of materials including glass, plastic or metal, but in most cases bathr...

Replacing bathroom tiles is a big job, involving chipping out the existing tiles and restoring the wall to a smooth finish.
Wet areas then need waterproofing before the tiling can begin.
The amount of labour combined with the cost of the new...

Bathroom renovations can make a home much more liveable and add thousands of dollars in value. Installing it DIY makes your money go further and means you get your dream bathroom sooner.
Take time to plan your renovation to avoid having to remode...

Bathroom makeovers can be costly, particularly if you start ripping out floor and wall tiles.
Doing it this way will most likely mean hiring tilers and specialised tradies to complete the work, which will have a big effect on the cost.
If the lay...

When a bathroom needs updating you don’t have to spend thousands replacing all the fittings. A coat of paint and one or two well-chosen pieces can breathe new life into old cabinets.
Handyman managing editor Lee Dashiell’s bathroom had 1980s timber...

If the tap’s dripping it probably needs a new washer. To replace it, turn off the water supply and turn the tap fully on. Place a plug in the plughole to avoid losing small parts.
On a non-rising spindle tap, prise off the handle cover to expose...

Older-type stoppers are moved up and down by a three-part linkage consisting of a lift rod, a metal strip with holes in it called a clevis, and the pivot rod, which supports the stopper or may be connected to it.
If this linkage comes loose the...

Make the first plunge a slow one to expel air, then pump vigorously. Image: Thinkstock

If the sink has a push-type pop-up stopper, unwind it, remove debris and wash the stopper and plug hole with soapy water and an old toothbrush.
USE A PLUNGER if the blockage persists. Stuff the overflow opening with a wet cloth, position the pl...

The loo needs more than just regular cleaning to keep it in tiptop shape. Image: Thinkstock

Loo maintenance isn’t high on anyone’s list of favourite chores, but it’s essential to keep everything in working order.
Follow these tips to avoid overflows, wasted water and flushing failure.
Tighten the connections to the water pipe if ther...

Before you call in the cavalry to fix a broken loo, bail out the excess water and try a couple of DIY fixes

Fixing a broken loo is not one of those jobs that can be put off. But before you call in the cavalry, bail out the excess water and try a couple of DIY fixes.
Put a plunger over the drain opening so it seals it completely. Plunge vigorously 10 o...

Showerheads can last for years, they do eventually start to look grotty and dated, and most of the older models were designed before saving water was even a consideration.
If your showerhead has been around since Elvis was still alive, then it’s...

Find innovative ways to bring in as much natural light as possible to create a relaxing sanctuary. Image: Getty Images

Great bathroom design is dependent on great lighting. In a space that each family member uses daily, lighting is as essential a component as the fittings. Successful lighting is achieved by a layered approach that tackles each bathroom function sep...

Sandra Bridekirk had always wanted a bedroom with ensuite but none of the rooms in her two-level T-shaped house fitted the bill.
The closest was the rumpus room, in which the previous owners had installed a spa bath next to a bar area with a sink...

Removing an old spa made room for a shower cubicle and new loo.
The spa in this bathroom was only used as a shower space and was taking up room that could be used more efficiently.
And while there was a separate toilet in the house, removing...

The toilet may be the smallest room in the house but there’s no reason it can’t have style.
Last renovated 25 years ago,this powder room looked cold and uninviting. The slate floors were dark, making the room appearsmaller and the basic toilet h...

Our ten design rules will help you get the most out of your bathroom renovation

A well-planned bathroom is a pleasure to spend time in and since it’s a room that is used daily by every member of the family, it’s worth getting the design right.
A full bathroom renovation is costly and mistakes can be difficult to live with. S...

The catalyst for John and Dianne Bowler’s bathroom renovation was a leaky pipe. Although the couple, from NSW, was tired of the dated fixtures, cracked tiles and water-wasting spa bath, they’d put off doing anything about it until John investigated t...

Bumps and knocks to tiled surfaces loosen grout over time, allowing water to seep in. This can cause mould behind tiles and eventually compromise waterproofing.
Regrouting is simpler and less expensive than replacing tiles, and it gives old tiles a...

When you need to maximise space in the bathroom, a wall-mounted frameless mirror is the ideal solution. It doesn't take up as much space as a medicine cabinet, making the room look tidy and streamlined.
Frameless mirrors suit almost any style of bath...

Frameless shower screens are ideal for small bathrooms, as they make the space seem bigger and evoke a sense of being in a luxury hotel.
The shower screen for this bathroom is from Highgrove Glass and was custom made to suit the 900 x 900mm recess,...

Close the door, run the bath, light the candles and pop the cork. There’s no need to pay for a fancy day spa because luxury can be as close as your own bathroom.
Once a functional, practical room used purely for washing and grooming, today’s bathro...